2024 UFL Week 3 picks: Time to back the Battlehawks?
While the UFL is a new league, that doesn’t mean we don’t have some knowledge that can prove useful for bettors looking to make a couple smart bets. Daniel Dopp and Matt Willis are here to break down everything there is to know about betting on Week 3 of the UFL.
And the duo will be here every single Friday to preview the weekly slate all season long! Without further ado let’s get started. Take it away Dopp.
Dopp: Week 3 is on our doorstep after two action packed weeks of UFL football! Jake Bates has kicked 60-plus yard field goals in back-to-back games (something that’s only been done one time in the NFL), Deestroying is headed to the IR without even getting a chance to unleash his big leg, former Bills WR Marcell Ateman is leading the league in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and the Birmingham Stallions have the leaders in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. We’re starting to finally get a full picture of what this league is going to look like! How are things shaping up in your neighborhood after two weeks of spring football, Matt?
Willis: Well, Daniel, I hope you got your handkerchief freshly laundered after last weekend because we had some sweats. We both liked the under 41.5 in the Roughnecks-Defenders game, and I hope you locked it in at the number. By kickoff, the number was 39.5. And it ended at 41, but we were on the happy side of that one.
Dopp: That’s why you gotta jump on the number early! I definitely got it in before the line dipped under 41.5, but that wasn’t the only close game from the weekend. We may have been on the right side of the Roughnecks-Defenders game, but it was a different story in Memphis.
Willis: Are you talking about the mind-boggling, curse-inducing, heart rate-spiking ending of the Brahmas-Showboats game? Down 19-8 in the final minute, San Antonio got a TD, maintained possession with a “make it and take it” 4th-and-12 conversion, and scored again with three seconds left to take a one-point lead with the line -1.5. And then they took a knee instead of going for the post-TD conversion.
Dopp: But we only needed 1 point…
Willis: We needed 1…
Dopp: WHY, MATT?! Why deprive us of that sweet, sweet extra point? At least give it a shot and see if you can get another point or two. Aren’t those moments valuable practice for the future?
Willis: Well, we shake that off, and move to Week 3, and I’m going right back to the Showboats, taking on the UFL title favorite, 2-0 Birmingham Stallions. I like the under in this one (41). Birmingham’s defense was dominant in a win over the Michigan Panthers, with seven sacks. But let’s not forget that although the headlines were about the Brahmas’ comeback, the Memphis defense held San Antonio to six punts and a turnover on their first seven possessions.
Dopp: EJ Perry is no stranger to using his legs to evade the rush and keep drives alive, with 42 rushing yards on the season, but even he couldn’t get away from that Stallions defense. These are the two best teams in the league at shutting down the run.
Willis: Plus, these teams were a combined 2-for-12 converting red zone possessions into TD’s. Field goals are the love language of unders.
Dopp: You’ve convinced me (but it wasn’t that hard)! I’m taking the under in this one, too. Who else are you backing in Week 3?
Willis: Let’s not forget about the Brahmas, who didn’t look great for 59 minutes on Saturday, but still came away with the victory. They’re undefeated, playing at home, and two-point underdogs to the St. Louis Battlehawks. St. Louis, behind three-time national champion AJ McCarron, has yet to turn the ball over, and went from averaging 4.4 yards per play in Week 1 to 6.9 in Week 2, including a UFL-season best 6.1 yards per rush. You’re giving me an undefeated home underdog? I’ll take the road favorite — give me the Battlehawks -1.
Dopp: No reason to disagree with you there. AJ McCarron has easily been one of the best players in the league. He’s currently ranked first in passing yards, second in passing touchdowns and third in completion percentage. That’s a QB worth backing.
Willis: In other news, unders went 2-2 in Week 2, meaning they’re 6-2 on the season. Houston is coming off a rough week, losing a couple of key offensive players in QB Jarrett Guarantano and WR Kirk Merritt. They’ll take on the Panthers, who keep making long-range field goals. But it’s not sustainable, and if you’re settling for 50 and 60-yard FG attempts, something’s not clicking there. Give me the under 38.5 there.
Dopp: I’ve got one more question for you — let’s take another look at some future bets. Anyone you’re keeping an eye on?
Willis: I’m watching the Battlehawks. They’re starting to hit their stride and they’re still a underdog in the XFL conference (+180 to win the XFL). I think they’re the better team, and if they lose to San Antonio this week on the road, I think they’ll bottom out at a good number and have a chance to get that win back at home. With D.C. looking much weaker than expected, St. Louis is the class of that conference.
Dopp: Matt Willis, you are the best! As always, thanks for the incredible insight!
Don’t forget to love each other, be kind to yourself, enjoy the games and we’ll see you next week!
If you still want more UFL content on top of this, check out Daniel Dopp, Skubie Mageza and Joe Gioia every Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. ET for the definitive UFL recap show! UFL Today will bring fans the top moments from the weekend, with game highlights, airing live on ESPN’s YouTube, Facebook and the ESPN App, in most cases following the last game of the weekend.
Follow Dopp and Willis on X @danieldopp and @WillisOnNascar.
